Day at Dancing Star

Sanctuary becomes killing field for protected animals
http://calcoastnews.com/2009/02/sanctuary-becomes-killing-field-for-protected...

By KAREN VELIE A husband and wife team of internationally known environmentalists, paid handsomely to oversee a San Luis Obispo County sanctuary for infirm animals, has ordered the accelerating slaughter of many of their wards. Former and present employees of the Dancing Star Foundation claim that its top officers, Michael Tobias and Jane Gray Morrison, intend to focus on endangered animals. They say the pair has commenced the systematic elimination of aged and infirm farm animals under the foundations care, contrary to the foundation's purpose. Tobias and Morrison have reportedly told employees that economic issues prompted the kill policy. According to the foundations 2007 IRS Form 990 filed Oct. 6, 2008, the group had more than $43 million in assets. Tobias, as president, receives a yearly salary of $285,500; Vice President Morrison, $244,000; and Vice President of Finance Don Cannon, $240,000. The foundation was created by Sue Stiles in 1993 with a focus on providing a refuge for elderly and handicapped farm animals. She opened one sanctuary in Paso Robles for burros, and another in Cayucos which hosts horses, cows, dogs, burros, pigs, and a goat. In January, more than 200 animals were cared for at the Cayucos sanctuary, situated south of Harmony on 700 rolling acres along U.S. Highway 1. A herd of burros wandering among the oak trees is often visible from the highway below.
More at http://calcoastnews.com/2009/02/sanctuary-becomes-killing-field-for-protected...

Category:

Pets & Animals

Tags:

• horses
• Sanctuary

[ca94nhl]

Sickening. The three "officers" of that non-profit earned 3/4 of a million dollars in 2007. The sanctuary itself claims $43 million in assets.

Utterly uncalled for, and an example of human greed at its very finest.

[HeatherHMW]

While the euthanasia of these horses was uncalled for (to the best of our knowledge from what we saw on the tape), the method/technique for all but the first horse was both humane and professional. The facilities simply weren't adequate to restrain the sorrel gelding, and it endangered the horse's welfare in addition to putting the handlers at risk. The fault doesn't lie with the vet, although I can't say I'd proceed without better restraints if I were in her shoes...

[lizzie0689]

my x bf santos the one in the hat on the left side help hold the horse for the vet but he had to his boss made him do it. the vet n the boss of that place shud go to prison forever, they said the animals were sick but they were not sick they were healthy, they were putting down horses for no reason just to make room for more horses to come in the ranch.n thats the truth.

[Yzenrider]

Sadly, I really didn't expect anything less. Sad that these con artists got control of this rescue. They are getting rid of animals they don't care about. Helping animals costs money, not so much if you don't. Thus they can continue to pay themselves overinflated salaries over a longer period of time until the accounts are empty. Sell the land, etc. Why this route? As a 501K, they cannot just take the money by closing the sanctuary. The money would have to be transferred to another 501K.

[tiggersharkmark]

I heard yesterday that dancing star has cancelled the use of Salinas Tallow for the disposal of dead animals.The contract has been awarded to jerry smiths(ranch foreskin) son.Most likely in an effort to eliminate the paper trail that proves they are needlesly killing more animals at break neck speed.Just so they can get out of the sanctuary buisness with a bigger hunk of Sue Stiles millions.Very sad situation.They are litteraly getting away with murder and fraud.

[bigislander72]

Worked at there for the summer of 2007. The put about 3 cows and 2 horses down while I was there. I guess the cows were old and the quality of life had diminished such that putting them down was justified.

The two horses they put down bothered me though. One for a deep cut on the leg that wouldn't heal and another for a slight limp. I was really attached to the latter. Fed her everyday and she was really feisty and energetic. Seemed a waste to me, but was told it was for the better.

[SUMRUCUK]

why they have to die ???

[Mercedes2555]

Well, I guess you all want to see them abused by people or sent off on that truck for meat...The hell they go through before they are killed for meat....

I would rather see them given the needle and petted while they go off to their eternal sleep....Thank god for people that care and do this....To bad you other people do not understand...I have had a horse that was needled to sleep....It is sad but not painful for the horse...She is buried on our farm... RIP

[MegsLivestock]

omg you could have shipped him to my house not killed him! i have a whole barn full of empty stalls till spring 2010 this is so sick!! perfectly good horses, give them away to 4-H and FFA memebers!!

[Sovy22]

What dickheads, how not to put a horse down!! This vet should be dis barred. Instead of this horse dying nice & peacefully it is terrorized right til it dies, bloody hell use a gun for Christ sake don't torcher the animal & drag it out for ages. RIP horse they can't harm you again.

[bladeofbattousai]

These sick greedy bastards were given MILLIONS to take care of these animals, and they do *this* and pocket the money. Jail is too good for these slimeballs!!! When are we going to see some justice done?

[sassandlace]

somebody need to take out these people and those that keep breeding gor greed